External view of the Victorian Archives Centre
About Us

About Public Record Office Victoria

Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the archive of State and Local Governments in Victoria. We hold over 100 km of digital and physical records from 1836 to the present day. Many records are accessible to the public either online or for viewing in our Reading Rooms. PROV also sets mandatory recordkeeping standards for state and local government agencies and provides advice on recordkeeping to government.

Learn more about PROV
two people pulling maps out of drawers
Recent transfer news

Tram history preserved at PROV

More than 1,300 plans used to construct and maintain Melbourne’s tramcar fleet have recently been transferred to the Victorian Archives Centre from the Melbourne Tram Museum (located in Hawthorn). The Museum previously had long-term custody of these impressive VicTrack records.

Learn more
sewn name on fabric
A new exhibition at the Victorian Archives

Rewind Forward

Rewind Forward, an exhibition developed by our 2025 Creatives in Residence, opened in the Victorian Archives Centre Gallery on Thursday 29 May featuring the work of Emile Zile, Sam Wallman, Shannon Slee, Susan Fitzgerald, and Queer-ways. A snapshot of Shannon Slee's sewn memorial of 950 women who died of backyard abortions is pictured. On display until November.

Learn more here
the courtyard at ararat asylum
Check out our journal

Provenance 2025

The 2025 issue of Provenance is now online for your reading pleasure. Featuring research into the state archives, this year's five articles explore social and cultural histories of Victorian people, places and buildings. From the history of Victoria's stonemasons and stoneworkers, to notorious characters throughout of the 19th century, this issue is not to be missed!  

Read now
Drawing of The Melbourne Trident by Stanislav Szukalski
Award-winning podcast series

Look history in the eye

In this award-winning podcast series by Public Record Office Victoria we interview the people who delve into public archives and uncover interesting truths about Melbourne and Victoria's past. Hear about the amazing monuments never built, Victoria's queer history, prison escapes...and new to summer 2024, the Brookside Reformatory girls and Australian women of 1920s America.

Listen now

Visit us

Our Locations
Plan your visit
Victorian Archives Centre
99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne

Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm and every second and last Saturday of the month. Closed public holidays. Visit

Ballarat Archives Centre
Eureka Centre, 102 Stawell St, South Ballarat Central

Monday to Thursday 10am to 4:30pm. Closed public holidays. Visit

Bendigo Regional Archives Centre
1st Floor Bendigo Library, 251-259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo

Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 4pm. Closed public holidays. Visit

Geelong Library and Heritage Centre
51 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Closed weekends, Mondays and public holidays. Visit

Before your visit please check the individual location for opening times and any upcoming closures.

What's On

Events, talks, exhibitions and publications
All events
passengers crossing the street at flinders street
Exhibition

Making Modern Melbourne

An optimistic new nation was created at the dawn of the 20th century. Australia was self-governing, and Melbourne would be its temporary capital while Canberra was constructed. This free exhibition at Old Treasury Building examines the tumultuous century that was to come. Featuring photographs and plans from Public Record Office Victoria's collection, this is a must see exhibition for all Melburnians.
14 Apr 10:00 AM - 14 Apr 10:00 AM
Detail of a photo of Richard Jnr Carpenter. Private Carpenter Family Collection.
Article

Turbulent tales within the archives

Chris Carpenter’s Provenance article traces the lives of his ancestors, English immigrants who arrived in Australia in 1849. Carpenter recounts the story of his third great-grandparents, Richard and Maria Carpenter. Wardship, asylum and court records also allow him to create a vivid narrative of three of their children. Carpenter’s first tale reveals how eldest child Richard Jnr fathered 27 children over five marriages. His story unfolds through multiple aliases, fraud and deception, and the serial abandonment of wives and children.
06 May 14:38 PM - 08 May 14:38 PM
Illustration by Sam Wallman of a person's face. With the text rewind forward.
Exhibition

Rewind Forward

Now showing at the Victorian Archives Centre Gallery, our 2025 Creative in Residence exhibition features Emile Zile, Sam Wallman, Shannon Slee, Susan Fitzgerald, and Queer-ways. Each contemporary artist has been researching within PROV's vast collection to create impactful works that reframe and reawaken Victoria’s historical narrative.
29 May 17:00 PM - 30 Nov 17:00 PM
Kate Rounsefell’s deposition to the coroner, recounting her engagement to Swanson. PROV, VPRS 30/P0, Case no. 261.
Article

The one who got away

The deeds of Frederick Bailey Deeming have ensured his notoriety as one of the best-known serial killers in Australia’s history. Tara Oldfield revisits his story in Provenance, shifting the focus onto his next intended victim, Kate Rounsefell, exploring her intentions as a newly arrived immigrant and a woman having to endure the social pressure to find a suitable match. This context allows us to better understand how she eventually succumbed to the persistent advances of a man she barely knew.
06 May 13:45 PM - 08 May 13:45 PM

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples

Learn more